FEROZEPORE
Paddy procurement: A large number of farmers from all over the district on Monday staged a dharna outside the Deputy Commissioner's office here in protest against slow procurement of paddy. The Punjab Kisan Sabha, Secretary, Mr Hardev Arshi said farmers were committing suicide due to anti-farmer policies of the SAD-BJP government.

LUDHIANA
Memorandum campaign: At a meeting of the Government Pensioners' Association held here on Monday it was decided to launch a "memorandum campaign". The pensioners also urged the Punjab Government to grant DA instalments due from July this year before Divali. According to Mr Yash Paul Ghai, Additional General Secretary of the association, more than 5000 pensioners will individually, send the copy of the memorandum to the Finance Minister of Punjab, Capt Kanwaljit Singh.
Camp: The Department of Veterinary and Animal Husbandry an extension of Punjab Agriculture University organised an animal welfare camp at Kandhargarh Channa village last week. At least 291 animals were treated on the occasion.

PATIALA
Seminar: The Thapar Centre for Industrial Research and Development (TCIRD) and the Thapar Institute of Engineering and Technology (TIET) here jointly organised a national seminar on agro-biotechnology on September 24 and 25. The seminar was aimed at reviewing the growth of emerging eco-friendly microbial technologies for agro-biotech businesses. Prof M.P. Kapoor, Director, TCIRD and TIET, presided over the inaugural function.
ENT camp: The local Rotary Club held a check up camp at Daru Kutta village, near here, on Monday. ENT specialists examined 150 patients at the camp who were also provided medicines free of cost.
Havan organised: The Sadhu Samaj organised a havan here on Sunday in memory of the Kargil victims. A community kitchen was also organised on the occasion. The havan was organised to commemorate the 92nd birthday of Swami Krishnanand, President of the All-India Hindu Maha Sangh and founder the Naina Devi gufa.

PANCHKULA
Protested: The People's Voice God's Voice Group protested on Tuesday against the demolition drive for removal of fencing and hedges from road berms.
Contributed: The district has contributed Rs 36,50,962 towards the Chief Minister's War Heroes Fund.

BHIWANI
Murdered: Vijay, son of Mr Bishambhar Dayal, has been arrested on the charge of murdering Anil, alias Gabbar pehlwan. Anil died at Medical College, Rohtak, on Sunday. It is learnt that Anil had lodged a report with the police against Vijay on September 23 for teasing his (Anil's) brother's wife Sushma. When Anil, along with three others, went to Vijay's house to ask him to desist from such activities, Vijay stabbed him and fled.
Arrested: The police has arrested Jitender, son of Ram Kishan, and the eight other accused on the charge of murdering Jitender, alias Nitu. They have been sent on judicial remand.
Poor attendance: The district administration has taken serious note of the poor attendance of sarpanches and panches at meetings of gram panchayats. A spokesman said it adversely effected the review of development work in the villages and action to be taken on audit notices.
Auction: Stone mines of the district would be auctioned at the local mini-secretariat on Wednesday. These include 39 stone mines. The period of the auction would remain effective till March 2002.

FATEHABAD
Bharat Vikas Parishad: The district unit of the Bharat Vikas Parishad organised a flower arrangement training camp for women at the local Manohar Memorial College. Ms Renu Gupta, President of the local Inner Wheel Club and an artist, imparted training to about 80 women. The parishad also organised a painting and flower arrangement competition on the college campus. As many as 60 children and women participated.
Body Builders Association: The following have been elected office-bearers of the District Body Builders Association, set up here on Monday: President — Mr Pawan; Vice-President — Mr Subhash Rajliwal; Secretary — Mr Balkar Singh; Joint Secretaries — Mr Satinder Singh and Mr Gopi Ram; and Treasurer — Mr Shashi Bhushan.
Dharna: The district unit of the Khet Mazdoor Union staged a dharna in front of the office of the Deputy Commissioner here on Monday. Mr Krishan Swaroop, general secretary of the Haryana Kisan Sabha who led the agitating farm labourers gave a memorandum to the Deputy Commissioner and demanded that yellow cards under the public distribution system, residential plots for the needy, interest free loans from the government, farming of laws for farm labourers and strengthening of the public distribution system.
Office-bearers: The following have been elected office-bearers of the Market Committee Class IV Employees Union: President — Mr J.P. Pandey; Senior Vice-President — Mr Ishwar Singh Thakur; Vice Presidents — Mr Ram Lal and Mr Rajinder Sabarwal; General Secretary — Mr Rajinder Sharma; Secretary — Mr Ram Roop Hooda; and Treasurer — Mr Ram Mehar Singh.

ROHTAK
Dharna: Members of the Punjab National Bank Officers' Association on Monday observed hunger strike and staged a dharna in front of the regional office of the PNB here in protest against the non-acceptance of their demands. The association has been demanding dissolution of the sub-committee which allegedly made an arbitrary change in the promotion policy of the bank officials. Mr M.L. Arora, a spokesman of the association, pleaded that any change in service conditions could take place only after approval of their association.
Eye operation camp: The Deputy Commissioner, Mr Arun Kumar on Monday inaugurated a charitable four day eye operation camp at the local Lala Jyoti Swaroop Old Age Home. The camp has been organised by the Manav Seva Sangh. As many as 312 patients got their eyes checked and 71 patients were admitted for operation on the first day of the camp.
Elected : The following have been elected office-bearers of the city branch of the Indian Medical Association: President — Dr Anil Sanghi; Senior Vice-President — Dr R.K. Chaudhary; Vice-President — Dr Sunil Munjal; Secretary — Dr R.K. Pruthi; Joint Secretary — Dr Sanjay Saxena and Treasurer — Dr Kedar Nath Garg.
Robbed: Two youths allegedly robbed a liquor shop owner of Rs 34,000 at gunpoint here on Sunday. A case has been registered.

KULU
School sports: The District Education Officer said here on Monday that the schedule of the district school sports had been changed in view of the Dasehra festival. The sports competitions would now be held at Senior Secondary School, Nirmand from October 13 to 17.

NURPUR
Murdered: Baldev Singh (30) of Thoda Bhaloon village near here was allegedly stoned to death by his younger brother Sarbjit on Sunday. The police has registered a case under Section 302 of the IPC. The deceased was married only eight months ago.

SUNDERNAGAR
Compensation: The Consumers Disputes Redressal Forum, Mandi, has awarded Rs 10,000 as compensation and Rs 2,000 towards litigation charges to Khem Raj, a resident of Sandoa in Sarkaghat subdivision, whose phone was disconnected by the Department of Telecommunications.